SECSA 2026 Program Booklet

SECSA-CHRIE Conference

Bay to the Future: Navigating for Hospitality’s New Era

11 Annual th

2026 Tampa, FL

Conference Sponsors Platinum Level

Gold Level

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Rosen College of Hospitality Management 2

SECSA President’s Message Greetings & Salutations to our 2026 SECSA-CHRIE Conference Attendees, Welcome to the 11th Annual SECSA-CHRIE Conference, proudly hosted by the Muma College of Business School of Hospitality and Sport Management at the University of South Florida in the vibrant and historic city of Tampa, Florida! Our theme, Bay to the Future: Navigating for Hospitality’s New Era, perfectly captures both the energy of our industry and the spirit of this dynamic waterfront destination.

Over the next few days, we invite you to fully engage in an experience intentionally designed for connection, collaboration, and inspiration.

This conference brings together leading scholars, industry professionals, and emerging voices in hospitality and tourism to share ideas, spark meaningful dialogue, and strengthen our collective impact. We hope you leave with fresh insights, renewed enthusiasm, and an expanded professional network.

I extend heartfelt gratitude to the outstanding team at the University of South Florida — especially our host team, Trishna Mistry, Ph.D., Seden Dogan, Ph.D., and Emily Pacula and all of our federation Board of Directors — whose dedication and leadership brought this conference to life. Their commitment to excellence ensures an exceptional experience for us all.

Now, enjoy the SECSA 2026 experience! Immerse yourself in Tampa’s rich history, vibrant culture, and unmistakable Florida hospitality.

Savor the flavors, explore the waterfront, and — most importantly — be a tourist for the weekend!

We are so glad you are here.

L. Kate Price-Howard President, SECSA-CHRIE Federation Associate Professor Troy University

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Board of Directors 2025-2026

President Kate Price-Howard, Ph.D. Troy University

Immediate Past President James Williams, Ph.D. University of Tennessee

Vice President Trishna Mistry, Ph.D. University of South Florida

Secretary Jessica Wiitala, Ph.D. High Point University

Director of Marketing Haemi Kim, Ph.D. University of Alabama

Director of Research Wei Wei, Ph.D. University of Central Florida

Treasurer Fang Shu, Ph.D. Florida International University

Director of Industry Services Seden Dogan, Ph.D. University of South Florida

Director of Member Services & Development Suzanne Bagnera, Ph.D. Florida International University

Director of Education Eun-Kyong (Cindy) Choi, Ph.D. University of Mississippi

Director of Networking Soyoung Park, Ph.D. Florida Atlantic University

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Dean’s Welcome Dear ICHRIE-SECSA Hospitality Conference Attendees, On behalf of the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business and our School of Hospitality and Sport Management, I am pleased to welcome you to our Tampa campus. We are honored to host this distinguished group of educators, professionals and leaders in the hospitality field.

Throughout the conference, we look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions, sharing best practices, and continuing to reshape the future of hospitality through our collaborative efforts. We are committed to providing a dynamic and engaging platform where academic and industry experts can present and exchange some of the most innovative and impactful research.

The knowledge generated and shared through the conference is an important endeavor that will impact tomorrow’s hospitality leaders.

I also hope that you will spend time building and strengthening relationships with your peers across institutions, working together to advance the practice and profession of hospitality.

We are delighted to have you with us at the University of South Florida, and hope you find this conference both inspiring and rewarding.

Sincerely,

David W. Blackwell, Ph.D. Lynn Pippenger Dean Muma College of Business | University of South Florida

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Director’s Welcome Dear ICHRIE-SECSA Hospitality Conference Attendees, On behalf of the School of Hospitality and Sport Management at the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you. We are honored to welcome such a dedicated community of hospitality scholars, practitioners, and future leaders as we come together to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of the global hospitality industry.

In the School of Hospitality and Sport Management, we pride ourselves on bridging the gap between classroom theory and industry-leading practice. This gathering represents the very best of that mission, a space where innovative research meets real-world application.

Over the coming days, I encourage you to engage deeply with the diverse perspectives presented here. Whether you are sharing groundbreaking data or discussing the latest trends in guest experience, your contributions are vital to the continued growth of our professions.

Beyond the formal sessions, I hope you take the opportunity to experience the energy of our USF Tampa campus along with our Tampa Bay community, and build lasting connections with your colleagues. It is through these partnerships that we truly move the needle for our students and the industry at large.

We are honored to be your hosts and look forward to a productive, inspiring, and impactful event.

Go Bulls!

Sincerely,

Michelle Gacio Harrolle, Ph.D. Interim Director, School of Hospitality and Sport Management Director, Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program Muma College of Business | University of South Florida

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Conference Host Welcome Dear ICHRIE-SECSA Conference Attendees, Welcome to the 11th Annual SECSA Conference! It is my honor to serve as your Conference Chair and to host you here at the University of South Florida in beautiful Tampa Bay. This year’s theme, “Bay to the Future: Navigating for Hospitality’s New Era,” reflects our collective commitment to charting new directions for hospitality education, research, and practice. We are excited to feature a dynamic lineup of sessions that reflect the spirit of this year’s conference.

SECSA holds a special place in my heart. Having served on the Board as Director of Research in the past, and now as Vice President and President-Elect, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable community we have built together. This organization thrives because of your scholarship, your dedication to mentoring the next generation of hospitality leaders, and your genuine collegiality. Hosting this conference at my home institution during this chapter of service makes this occasion especially significant, and I could not be more excited to welcome you here.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the SECSA Board, our speakers and panelists, and the faculty, staff, and students at USF, whose tireless efforts have brought this conference to life. A special thank you to our sponsors and industry partners for their generous support.

We are delighted to have you with us in Tampa, and I hope you find this conference engaging, inspiring, and rewarding. Let us navigate toward hospitality’s new era together.

Warm regards,

Trishna G. Mistry, Ph.D. Conference Chair & SECSA Vice President Graduate Program Director, Hospitality Management School of Hospitality and Sport Management Muma College of Business | University of South Florida

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Schedule at a Glance THURSDAY, MARCH 19 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Registration

Atrium

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Pre-Conference Workshop - Future Proofing Hospitality: Research & Teaching with AI

115

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Welcome Reception: Taste of Tampa Bay

Atrium

Dinner on your own FRIDAY, MARCH 20 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Registration

Atrium

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Breakfast

Atrium

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM

Welcome Remarks

Atrium

9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

General Session I - Industry Panel Discussion - Bay to the Future: Navigating Tampa’s Hospitality Landscape

Atrium

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Coffee Break

Atrium

10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Concurrent Sessions I

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Transition Break

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Concurrent Sessions II

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

General Session II - Lunch and Keynote Address - Charting the Course for Tampa Bay Hospitality’s Future

2:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Concurrent Sessions III

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Coffee Break

4:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Concurrent Sessions IV

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Entertainment and Awards Reception

111, 112, 118 Atrium 111, 112, 118 Atrium 111, 112, 118 Atrium 111, 112, 118 Atrium

Dinner on your own SATURDAY, MARCH 21

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8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Registration

Atrium

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Breakfast

Atrium

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

General Session III - SECSA Federation Meeting and Federation Member Address From Empathy to Ideation: Framing the Right Problem with Design Thinking

Atrium

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Transition Break

Atrium

10:00 AM – 11:15 AM

Concurrent Sessions V

11:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Coffee Break

Atrium

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM

Concurrent Sessions VI

111, 112

12:45 PM – 2:00 PM

Networking Lunch

Atrium

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Transition Break

Atrium

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Concurrent Sessions VII

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Closing Remarks & Conference Wrap-Up

111, 112, 118

111, 112, 118 Atrium

Keynote Speaker Santiago C. Corrada is an accomplished, recognized leader with over twenty-five years of public service experience, with proven success in effectively and efficiently transforming the professional culture of many diverse institutions. His outstanding relationship building skills result in the resolution of highly complex issues through consensus.

Corrada has the demonstrated ability to soundly and fiscally manage a convention center resulting in record surplus revenues.

Santiago Corrada President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay

As President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay for the past ten years, Corrada has consistently elevated organizations to higher levels of productivity by empowering team members and stakeholders. With his leadership and guidance, the local hospitality industry has experienced 25 consecutive months of record bed tax collections and hotel taxable revenue.

Recognized as Hillsborough County’s Hispanic Man of the Year in 2013, Tampa Organization of Black Affairs Corporate Leader in 2019, and named to the Power 100 by the Tampa Bay Business Journal for the past decade. He has been recognized in the Florida Trend 500 and Black Meetings and Tourism and is currently being considered for recognition by the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.

His current board affiliations include: Destinations International Board, Florida Aquarium-Board & Executive Committee, Hillsborough County Hotel Motel Association-Board & Executive Committee, ReliaQuest Bowl, Hillsborough County Human Trafficking, Hillsborough County Cultural Assets, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa Bay Hospitality Alliance Board, Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Tampa Hillsborough Film and Digital Media Commission, USF CAMLS HEALTH Professions Conferencing Corporation, Tampa Theatre, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo-Board & Executive Committee, US Travel Executive Board, Destinations Florida-Past Chair, Gasparilla Board.

Corrada graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Exceptional Student Education as well as a Master’s in Education.

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Industry Panelists Aaron Hoefen is a seasoned hospitality executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience in hotel operations, financial management, and organizational culture development. He currently serves as Dual Hotel Manager of the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and the Tampa Marriott Water Street, a 1,246-room complex with over 150,000 square feet of meeting and event space and 8 food & beverage outlets located in Tampa’s premier Water Street District.

Aaron Hoefen Dual Hotel Manager at the Tampa Marriott and JW Marriott Water Street Tampa

Aaron brings deep expertise in strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting, labor optimization, revenue management, and owner relations. His background includes opening and stabilizing lifestyle hotels, overseeing large-scale full-service and extended-stay assets, and managing complex operations. He is recognized for building disciplined operating environments that drive accountability while fostering high-performing, service-oriented teams.

Aaron is highly active in industry and civic leadership. He serves as Executive Board member for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Chair of the Marriott Business Council of Tampa Bay, and holds board or advisory roles with Visit Tampa Bay, the Hillsborough County Hotel & Lodging Association, and multiple hospitality and tourism education advisory boards. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University and has completed advanced accounting coursework at the University of Central Florida. He is valued by boards for his operational insight, financial discipline, governance mindset, and commitment to community and workforce development.

Natalia Levey Founder of Hi Hospitality and Restauranteur

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Natalia Levey is the founder of Hi Hospitality Group (includes Speaks Clam Bar, KOJO, Bar Hana, Palm Avenue Deli, and Central Park St. Pete Food Hall). Nurturing appetites, uplifting spirits, and shaping the hospitality sector, Natalia brings to the table a rich tapestry of international culinary and wellness expertise, enriched by her travels through over 40 countries. Trained at the Art Institute of New York and a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, she’s also a certified nutritional consultant accredited by the American Association of Nutritional Consultants.

Her steadfast commitment to wellness and optimism is a catalyst for transformative shifts within the hospitality landscape. Honored as a 2021 Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership fellow by the James Beard Foundation and distinguished as that year’s Top Entrepreneur, Natalia believes that a meal isn’t just a meal—it’s a step towards global wellbeing and connection. She is a distinguished TEDx speaker, she pioneers the intersection of hospitality and emerging technology and serves on the USF Advisory Board for Hospitality and Sport Management.

Juan Lopez Sales and Marketing Manager at the Tampa Convention Center

Juan Lopez, CMP CVP is the Tampa Convention Center Sales & Marketing Manager. As a member of the Executive Team, Lopez oversees all of the marketing, selling and booking of events for TCC. With over 27 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Lopez has previously held venue management roles at the Yuengling Center and the Kaseya Center. Lopez is a graduate of both the University of Florida and the University of South Florida where he earned Bachelor’s degrees in Sports Management & Finance. Lopez is a member of several industry associations including CSPI, where he currently serves on the Board of Directors and IAVM where he is currently the state representative for Region V.

Federation Speaker Jessica Wiitala, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Event Management at High Point University, where she teaches courses in experience design, event marketing, sponsorship, risk management, and event finance. Her teaching and pedagogical scholarship focus on experience design, design thinking, and human-centered approaches to problem-solving in events and hospitality education. Dr. Wiitala is known for integrating interdisciplinary theories and design thinking methodologies into her curriculum to help students develop empathy, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills.

Her research explores marketing, consumer behavior, tourism risk perception, experience design, and emerging trends such as AI adoption and design thinking in hospitality and event contexts. Dr. Wiitala’s work has been published in leading journals, including the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management and Event Management, and she regularly presents at national and international academic and industry conferences.

Workshop Speaker Evan Fruehauf is an academic librarian and researcher at the University of South Florida with a passion for how people learn, create, and share knowledge. His interests span artificial intelligence, open access, and the evolving role of information in everyday life.

Outside academia, he’s an avid cook, Dungeons & Dragons game master, and outdoors enthusiast exploring Florida’s trails and coasts.

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SMART ADVOCACY.

ALWAYS GREAT BUSINESS.

With 24 million annual visitors, 600,000 convention attendees and more than 1,000 local business partners, Hillsborough County is a tourism powerhouse. We pioneered the area’s MICHELIN-recognized restaurants, world-renowned attractions and industry-leading campaigns. Tourism generates over $9 billion annually and supports 62,000 local jobs, and Visit Tampa Bay drives destination growth through strategic partnerships and visitation.

VisitTampaBay.com 14

TOP THINGS TO DO IN TAMPA BAY THE TAMPA RIVERWALK Stroll along the scenic waterfront on this 2.6-mile Riverwalk, connecting attractions, parks, and neighborhoods. It’s perfect for biking, walking, or catching a Pirate Water Taxi.

THRILLING ATTRACTIONS Experience thrilling coasters and animal encounters at Busch Gardens®, explore award-winning exhibits and family-friendly fun at ZooTampa, and dive into hands-on marine adventures at The Florida Aquarium.

YBOR CITY Discover Tampa Bay’s Cuban heritage in Ybor City.

Wander historic streets, taste authentic Cuban sandwiches, and learn about cigar-making history.

MICHELIN-RECOGNIZED Indulge in unique and elevated dining experiences across the city that highlight innovative dishes, fresh seafood, and locally sourced ingredients.

ART AND CULTURE Immerse yourself in the vibrant arts scene with venues like the Tampa Museum of Art, home to an impressive collection of modern and contemporary pieces, and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, offering Broadway shows, ballet, and live music.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Tampa Bay offers endless outdoor activities, from kayaking through lush waterways to biking on scenic trails. Whether you enjoy birdwatching, paddleboarding, or a quiet picnic, Tampa’s natural parks and waterfront locations provide a perfect escape into nature.

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Conference Schedule THURSDAY, MARCH 19 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Registration

Atrium

Pre-Conference Workshop - Future Proofing Hospitality: Research & Teaching with AI Evan Fruehauf, University of South Florida 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

This workshop will cover the essentials, walk through practice use cases, and unpack key policies and considerations every educator and researcher and know. Participants will experiment directly with AI toolsets, engage in thoughtful discussions about their impact and implications, and leave with sharpened skills they can immediately apply. Whether you're just getting started or looking to elevate your AI practice, this session will help you confidently upskill and innovate in your academic work.

115

Welcome Reception: Taste of Tampa Bay 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Michelle Harrolle, Interim Director, School of Hospitality and Sport Management, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida

Atrium

Dinner on your own

FRIDAY, MARCH 20 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Registration

Atrium

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Breakfast

Atrium

Welcome Remarks 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM

Kate Price-Howard, SECSA-CHRIE President, Troy University Jean Kabongo, Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida

Atrium

GENERAL SESSION I Industry Panel Discussion - Bay to the Future: Navigating Tampa’s Hospitality Landscape 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Aaron Hoefen, Dual Hotel Manager at the Marriott/JW Marriott Water Street Tampa Natalia Levey, Founder of Hi Hospitality and Restauranteur Juan Lopez, Sales and Marketing Manager at the Tampa Convention Center Moderator: Seden Dogan, University of South Florida Coffee Break

Atrium

Atrium

CONCURRENT SESSIONS I Track 1 (Completed) Savoring Experiences: Food and Meaning Moderator: Angad Dang 10:30 AM – 10:50 AM

Tasting Time: Muscadine Wine, Culture, and the Heritage Tourism Experience Robin Back and Asli Tasci

10:55 AM – 11:15 AM

Plating Aesthetics, Attractiveness, and WTP premium Across Restaurant Types Zhenxian Piao and Wei Wei

111

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Track 2 (Completed) Navigating AI at Work Moderator: Jessica Wiitala

112

10:30 AM – 10:50 AM

Humanlike Co-Workers, Human Reactions: Exploring the Role of Trust in Employee Adaptation to Service Robots Osman Sesliokuyucu, Seden Dogan and Trishna Mistry

10:55 AM – 11:15 AM

Extending TAM to AI Adoption: The Role of Resilience in Event Professionals’ Technology Acceptance Jessica Wiitala, Trishna Mistry, Brianna Clark and Charlotte Miller

11:20 AM – 11:40 AM

The Formation of Technology-Driven Job Crafting Behaviors: A JD-R Theory Perspective with Employee IT Mindfulness and Symbolic Technology Experience Yao-Chin Wang, Yi-Sung Cheng, Yue Lu, Leelapattana Winitra and Po-Ju Chen Track 3 (Completed) Storytelling for Impact Moderator: Soyoung Park

118

10:30 AM – 10:50 AM

Detective, Open the Case! Gamified Storytelling for Anti-Human Trafficking in Hospitality: A Mixed-Methods Investigation Aili Wu, Wei Wei and Lu Zhang

10:55 AM – 11:15 AM

Mindful Gaze in Slow Travel Train: YouTubers’ Storytelling Approaches with Mindfulness-to-Meaning Theory Perspective Chia-Hsin Lien and Yao-Chin Wang

11:20 AM – 11:40 AM

Trust, Ease, and Intention in the Age of Automated Hotels Omid Oshriyeh, Ercan Turk and Jianhong Feng

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Transition Break

Atrium

CONCURRENT SESSIONS II Track 1 (Works in Progress) Social and Design Drivers of Consumer Behavior in Hospitality Moderator: Muhittin Cavusoglu 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM

Digital Tipping in Minimal-Service Settings: Service Efforts, Social Pressure, and Social Obligation Fabian Rodriguez Gomez and Heejung Ro

12:20 PM – 12:35 PM

Trust, Networks, and Norms: Applying Social Capital Theory to Consumer Restaurant Selection Reynolds Kusi and Imran Rahman

12:40 PM – 12:55 PM

From Design to Decision: Exploring Premium Theme Party Attributes and Consumer Behavioral Intentions in the Hospitality Industry Iuliia Sintsova and Muhittin Cavusoglu Track 2 (Works in Progress) Organizational Behavior and Employee Psychology Moderator: Haemi Kim

112

12:00 PM – 12:15 PM

Unveiling How Fear of Failure, Task Delay, and Change-Oriented Leadership Shape Hotel Employees’ Creative Behavior Selim Bakir and Baker Ayoun

12:20 PM – 12:35 PM

Coaching Leadership and Employee Outcomes: The Interplay of Job Crafting and Management Commitment to Service Quality in Norway’s Restaurant Industry Ribat Islam, Kiran Giri and Huseyin Arasli

12:40 PM – 12:55 PM

From Praise to Exit: The Psychological Mechanism Linking Workplace Flattery to Turnover Intention Azmir Houssain and Huseyin Arasli Track 3 (Pedagogy)

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

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111

118

HIPs, COILs, and SDT, Oh My, Encourage Student Motivation and Engagement Vicki Lavendol Instructors: brainstorm new High Impact Practice courses or student COIL projects while meeting student needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

GENERAL SESSION II 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Lunch and Keynote Address - Charting the Course for Tampa Bay Hospitality’s Future Santiago Corrada, President & CEO of Visit Tampa Bay

Atrium

CONCURRENT SESSIONS III Track 1 (Works in Progress) AI Adoption and Consumer Response Moderator: Andrew Moreo 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

From Trust to Delight: Why Guests Choose to Use AI in Hotels Zvijezdana Petkovic and Faizan Ali

2:50 PM – 3:05 PM

Voices of Care: How Gender, Accent, and Disclosure Shape Guest Reactions to AI Concierges Andrew Moreo, Lisa Cain, Wen Chang and Seden Dogan

3:10 PM – 3:25 PM

AI-Powered Mindfulness Mobile Apps: Applications in Tourism and Hospitality Settings Chia-Hsin Lien, Pei-Chi Wang and Yao-Chin Wang

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Reasons For and Against: Understanding Consumer Attitudes Toward eVTOL Food Delivery Atefeh Charmchian Langroudi, Maryam Charmchian Langroudi and Omid Oshriyeh

111

Track 2 (Works in Progress) Governance and Human Resources Moderator: Suzanne Bagnera

112

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

From Activist Leaders to Unrelated Brands: Exploring the Mere Association Effects of CEO Activism in the Hospitality Context Ahmad Almomani, Daniel Oliveira and Imran Rahman

2:50 PM – 3:05 PM

Conflicts of Interest (CoI) in Multi-Brand Hotel Operations Kamrul Hasan Bhuiyan and Israt Jahan

3:10 PM – 3:25 PM

Assessment of Residents’ Perception of Community-based Homestay Tourism Development in Nigeria: An Application of Resource-Based Theory Opemipo Ijose, Rojan Baniya, Imran Rahman and Yee Ming Lee Track 3 (Pedagogy)

118

2:30 PM – 3:05 PM

PED-Talk Roundtable: Engaging the Gen Z Student in the Classroom Andrea White-McNeil Formulate-Share-Listen-Create. A brainstorming session for engaging Post-Millennial, GenZ, iGen students in face-to-face and online classrooms

3:10 PM – 3:45 PM

Enhancing Hospitality Education Through Active Learning: The Three I’s Framework Keri Olivetti Elevate hospitality education with Intentional, Innovative, and Inspiring active learning strategies that foster engagement, adaptability, and leadership excellence

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Coffee Break

Atrium

CONCURRENT SESSIONS IV Track 1 (Works in Progress) AI in Hospitality Education and Curriculum innovation Moderator: Tingting Zhang 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Governing Agentic AI: A Meta-Analysis of Autonomy, Fairness, and Trust in Hospitality and Tourism Education Patience Ngcobo-Onunkwo and Alecia Douglas

4:20 PM – 4:35 PM

Exploring the Role of Personalized Generative AI in Entrepreneurship Education Yoo Ri Kim, Arthur Huang and Michael Kentz

4:40 PM – 4:55 PM

Students’ Perceptions of Belonging in Hospitality Management with the Rise of AI: A work-in-progress report Su Gibson

111

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5:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Integrating AI-Powered Data Science Tools in First-Year Hospitality Curriculum: Impact on Data Literacy and Career Readiness Randall S Upchurch, Earney Lasten and Leonard Jackson Track 2 (Works in Progress) Consumer Engagement Across Leisure Experiences Moderator: Heather Lewis

112

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Traveling to sport events as a pathway to social connectedness in mid and later life: an ego-centric network analysis approach Dahye Jung and Heather Gibson

4:20 PM – 4:35 PM

The Influence of Social Media Engagement and Parasocial Interaction on Behavioral Intentions in Women’s Sports Evelina Avleeva and Jeannie Hahm

4:40 PM – 4:55 PM

The Making of a Memorable Dining Experience in Fine Dining: Roles of Authenticity, Innovativeness, Hospitableness, Value, and Nostalgia Sarah Camp and Imran Rahman

5:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Curious Minds and Haunted Sites: Exploring College Students’ Motivations for Dark Tourism Heather Lewis and Nicole Sellars Track 3 (Works in Progress) Technology and Workforce Adaptation Moderator: Osman Sesliokuyucu

118

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Humanc-Robot Collaboration and Vulnerability: The role of Employees’ Mindset and Task Structure Ghazal Shams and Kawon Kathy Kim

4:20 PM – 4:35 PM

Working for the Algorithm: Resilience and Continuance in the Future of Food Delivery Platforms Osman Sesliokuyucu, Ahmet Gunay, Inci Polat and Muhittin Cavusoglu

4:40 PM – 4:55 PM

From Perception to Performance: Technology Values and Service Innovation in Hospitality Priyanka Kafley, Trishna Mistry and Osman Sesliokuyucu

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Entertainment and Awards Reception

Atrium

Dinner on your own

Atrium

SATURDAY, MARCH 21 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Registration

Atrium

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Breakfast

Atrium

GENERAL SESSION III 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

SECSA Federation Meeting and Federation Member Address - From Empathy to Ideation: Framing the Right Problem with Design Thinking

Atrium

Jessica Wiitala, High Point University 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Transition Break

Atrium

CONCURRENT SESSIONS V Track 1 (Works in Progress) Sustainability and Green Signaling Moderator: Cindy Choi

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111

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Visible vs. Invisible Sustainability: Examining the Role of Green Practice Visibility in Shaping Consumer Perceptions in Green Hotels Nusrat Jahan and Imran Rahman

10:20 AM – 10:35 AM

Sustainable dining: Understanding consumer acceptance of 3D-printed upcycled foods Souji Gopalakrishna Pillai, Atefeh Charmchian Langroudi, Shenee Douglas, Patience Ngcobo-Onunkwo and Alecia Douglas

10:40 AM – 10:55 AM

Innovating Luxury: The Role of Smart Technologies in Enhancing Sustainability Practices in Five-Star Hotels Kamila Arkhash, Muhittin Cavusoglu and Assem Kazhmukhametova

Track 2 (Works in Progress) Workforce Development and Career Trajectories Moderator: Fang Shu

112

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

A Longitudinal Analysis Unlocking the Progression of the Wage, Benefits, And Job Satisfaction Levels of Hospitality and Event Management Professionals Kate Price-Howard and Frank Tsai

10:20 AM – 10:35 AM

Evolving Career Factor Experiences and Perceptions for Hospitality Management Graduates: A 15-Year Follow-Up Study Eric Brown and Donald Schoffstall

10:40 AM – 10:55 AM

Analyzing teacher perceptions of the structured hospitality education curriculum for high school students in an underserved Central-Florida community: Does it prepare students for entry-level industry careers, management careers, and university?

Blanche Greaux and Dénver Severt

11:00 AM – 11:15 AM

The Impact of Active Learning on Emotional Intelligence and Academic Success in Event Management Students Keri Olivetti Track 3 (Pedagogy)

118

10:00 AM – 10:35 AM

Are We There Yet? The GPS to Transformative Teaching Ruth Smith Interactive workshop using a GPS road-trip metaphor to help educators navigate inclusive, reflective, high-impact strategies for transformative, student-centered teaching success

10:40 AM – 11:15 AM

Teaching with AI: Practical Strategies for Integrating Artificial Intelligence Tools into Hospitality and Tourism Education Miranda Kitterlin, Michelle Russen, Lisa Cain and Nathan Dodge Interactive workshop offering ready to use AI classroom activities, ethics guidance, and assessment tools for hospitality and tourism educators

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM

Coffee Break

Atrium CONCURRENT SESSIONS VI

Track 1 (Completed) Inclusion and Ethics in Hospitality Moderator: Marketa Kubickova

111

11:30 AM – 11:50 AM

Citizenship at Work: Service Employees’ Supportive Behaviors Toward LGBT Coworkers and Customers Heejung Ro and Juhee Kang

11:55 AM – 12:15 PM

See the Person, Not the Disability: Management perspectives on Workplace Climate for people with Intellectual Disabilities Ghazal Shams, Marketa Kubickova and Swechchha Subedi

12:20 PM – 12:45 PM

Organizational Capital Commitment and Employee Proactive Behavior in Flood Preparedness Ahmin Kwon and Swechchha Subedi Track 2 (Completed) Consumer Response to Innovation Moderator: Wei Wei

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11:30 AM – 11:50 AM

Service Robots at Airports: Exploring Travelers’ Preferences Between Reusing and Switching M. Omar Parvez and Woo Gon Kim

11:55 AM – 12:15 PM

Technology mindfulness and expected mystique in air taxi tours: A model matching theory perspective with directed imagination as a moderator Minsung Kim, Yao-Chin Wang, Takumi Kato and Yue Lu

12:20 PM – 12:45 PM

Beyond Push and Pull: Clean-Label Perception as a Critical Mooring Factor in Plant-Based Switching Imran Ahmad and Omar Parvez

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12:45 PM – 2:00 PM

Networking Lunch

Atrium

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Transition Break

Atrium CONCURRENT SESSIONS VII

Track 1 (Works in Progress) Emerging Business and Industry Disruption Moderator: Luana Nanu 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

The Impact of Biophilic Design on Restaurants: Moderating role of Generational Cohort Niffer Khan and Luana Nanu

2:50 PM – 3:05 PM

Fostering Psychological Safety through HRM: Impacts on Employee Engagement and Retention in the Restaurant Industry Amir Abbas and Murat Hancer

3:10 PM – 3:25 PM

Military Values in Civilian Fields: A Mixed-Methods Study of Veteran Agritourism and Rural Sustainability Anabel Dillingham and Imran Rahman

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Emerging Opportunities and Risks: Cannabis-Infused Beverages in the Hospitality Industry JB Ward and Sean Barth Track 2 (Works in Progress) Luxury Design and Servicescapes Moderator: Yao-Chin Wang

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2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Designing Luxury Mindfulness Hotels: A Design Narrative Approach with Interior Designers’ Perspective Maddison Kunkel and Yao-Chin Wang

2:50 PM – 3:05 PM

Assessing Mindfulness on Websites of Mindfulness-Centered Luxury Hotels and Resorts: A Zen Perspective Maddison Kunkel and Yao-Chin Wang

3:10 PM – 3:25 PM

Exploring Food in Premium Servicescapes: From Airport Lounges to Sports and Entertainment Locales Katheldra Alexander and Scott Taylor Jr

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Silver Lining and Cancellation Effects: Do Customers Feel the Wallet Pains of Luxury Pricing?

Farhad Tabatabaei Track 3 (Pedagogy)

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2:30 PM – 3:05 PM

A Twist on Experiential Learning Leading to Better Career Decisions Peter Ricci and JB Ward An informal/interactive discussion of one university’s journey to engage students experientially for successful career exploration

3:10 PM – 3:45 PM

Enhancing Pedagogy Through AI Integration: Practical Classroom Applications Using Brisk and NotebookLM Carole Sox and Sheryl Kline Discover practical, hands-on strategies to integrate Brisk and NotebookLM into your teaching and enhance student learning with AI

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Closing Remarks and Conference Wrap-Up

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Atrium

President’s Thanks As SECSA-CHRIE president, I want to extend my gratitude for the invaluable support of our sponsors. We are indebted to you all for the success of this endeavor: •

• • • • •

David Blackwell, Ph.D., Jean Kabongo, Ph.D., Michelle Harrolle, Ph.D., all faculty, staff, and students of the Muma College of Business, more specifically the team from the School of Hospitality and Sport Management, who served as our platinum sponsors and hosts. This would not have been possible without your generosity in opening your doors during spring break!

Michael Sagast, Ph.D. and the University of South Carolina’s School of Hospitality, Sport & Tourism Management Michael Cheng, Ph.D. and the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at the Florida International University Cynthia Mejia, Ph.D. and the Rosen College of Hospitality at The University of Central Florida Kim Severt, Ph.D. and the Department of Human Nutrition, Hospitality and Sport Management at the University of Alabama Visit Tampa Bay

Additionally, I express my thanks to the conference planning team at the University of South Florida: Trishna G. Mistry, Ph.D., Seden Dogan, Ph.D., Emily Pacula, Andrea Carroz, and Ver’Shanti Lamb. Your behind-the-scenes work and support were invaluable to this process.

To the 2025-26 SECSA Board of Directors, I am appreciative of your dedication and hard work, your willingness to allow me to lead, and your support in executing. This year has been a truly humbling experience for me and I am grateful it was with this team!

To you our attendees, I hope this conference has left you inspired, rejuvenated and enthusiastic to continue the hospitality and tourism education journey as scholars, researchers and educators.

We continue to be #SECSASTRONG Safe travels home!

L. Kate Price-Howard President, SECSA-CHRIE Federation Associate Professor, Troy University

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THE GLOBAL GATHERING FOR HOSPITALITY & TOURISM EDUCATORS LAS VEGAS NEVADA, USA

15-17 July 2026 Global Community Research Insights Teaching Labs Industry Connections Student Research Career Pathways Technology Trends Academic Collaboration

Register today!

#ICHRIE2026

WHY ICHRIE

WELCOME

Global Professional Network 6 Global Federations Access to 4 Academic Journals 100+ Eta Sigma Delta ΗΣΔ Honors Society Chapters Worldwide

TO YOUR ICHRIE COMMUNITY

22 Special Interest Groups for Networking & Collaboration Research Competitions Academic Recognition Discounted Conference Rates Job Board & Career Opportunities

LINKING LEADERS IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM

Professional Development Webinars

MISSION & VALUES

ICHRIE is a global, inclusive community of hospitality and tourism educators, researchers, and industry leaders. We advance education, research, and collaboration worldwide, driving excellence, innovation, and talent development in the field.

OUR MEMBERS

Deans, Directors & Program Leads • Secondary Educators Corporate Partners • Industry Professionals Graduate Students • Honor Society Members

INTERNATIONAL CHRIE

3900 Westerre Parkway, Suite 300 Richmond, Virginia 23233 USA

chrie.org

membership@chrie.org

See you in Miami in 2027!

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